Anish Mahat
Puyallup Research & Extension Center
Washington State University
Joan Wu
Puyallup Research & Extension Center
Washington State University
Anand Jayakaran
Puyallup Research & Extension Centerr
Washington State University
The Puget Sound region of the US Pacific Northwest is experiencing rapid population and urban growth in recent decades. This growth has measurable effects on local ecosystems and natural resources, especially the streams and wetlands that are the vital spawning and rearing habitat for various species of salmons.
Sustainable management practices and water-sensitive urban design strategies such as Green Stormwater Infrastructures (GSI) are being implemented to reduce the stormwater effect and protect the ecosystem.
In this study, we focus on bioretention system, one of the various types of GSI. The effectiveness of bioretention system, like other GSIs, is dependent upon its location.
For optimal placement of the bioretention system, we developed a GIS-based framework that is spatially explicit and scalable.
Hydrologic Sensitivity Index (HSI) is an index that indicates the likelihood of a location in a landscape to generate runoff. The HSI scoring and the feasibility criteria specified in state regulations were used to develop the framework that uses publicly accessible geospatial data to identify suitable locations for siting bioretention systems.
The suitability of the identified sites was verified through ground-truthing.
The systematic and transferable approach for optimal placement of bioretention system has potential to inform practitioners and regulatory personnel in alleviating the stormwater effects on urban ecosystems.